Tape time recorder with



Feb. 1, 1949.

H. E. HOBBY TAPE TIME-RECORDER WITH DIFFERENTIAIED RECORDS Filed Oct. 15, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet l H. E. HOBBY Feb. 1, 1949.

I TAPE TIME-RECORDER WITH DIFFERENTIATED RECORDS Filed Oct. 15, i945 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I N VEN TOR .f/HROLD H068) J ZL MAW/'4 Feb. 1, 1949. H. E. HOBBY 2,460,575

TAPE TIME-RECORDER WITH DIFFERENTIATED RECORDS Filed Oct. 13, 1945 s Shets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. fl/MWZ] H065) l atentecl Feb. 1 11 949 TAPE TIME RECORDER WITH DIFFERENTIATED RECORDS Harold E. Hobby, Gardner, Mass, assignor to Simplex Time Recorder 00., Gardner, Mass, a corporation of Massachusetts Application October 13, 1945, Serial No. 622,153

3 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a machine to be used in the making of time records on a paper tape or other continuous record surface, and in differentiating between two classes of records, such as start and stop, or in and out.

It is the general object of my invention to provide improved mechanism for producing and recording differentiated records. To the accomplishment of this purpose, I provide an auxiliary printing device bearing two different symbols, together with means for moving either symbol into operative position.

I also provide improved actuating means by which the symbols are shifted in definite relation to the printing of the time record.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved switch mechanism by which a circuit maybe closed for a definite brief interval whenever a control circuit is either opened or closed. 7 I

My invention further relates to arrangements and combinations of parts which will be hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims. v I

A preferred form of the invention is shown in the drawings, in which 7 Fig.' 1 is a frontelevation of a time recorder embodying my invention; Fig.2 is a plan view thereof, with parts of the casing omitted; I

Fig. 3 is a side elevation, with certain parts shown in section; and

Fig. 4 is a circuit diagram.

Referring to the drawings, the time recorder in which my invention is shown comprises a casing C in which type wheels W are rotatably mounted on a shaft I'll which is intermittently advanced by a motor M, operating through a lever ll, feed pawl l2 and ratchet wheel l4 (Fig. l). The usual holding pawl I5 prevents backward rotation. The type wheels may registe'r any desired data and are shown in Fig.3 as recording the month, day, hour and minute. The

'minute wheel is usually fixed on the shaft l0 and any suitable reducti'on'gearing is provided to secure the desired relative rotation for the slower wheels.

A shelf or table I6 is mounted in fixed position on the frame F of the recorder, and a tape T is drawn upward through a notch or slot in the table 16 from a supply roll I1 and is delivered at the left side of the machine. The tape T passes under the type wheels W and also under an ink ribbon 20 mounted on spools 2|. 7

A hammer 24 is mounted on an arm 25 which is fixed on a shaft 26 (Fig. 2) rotatably supported in the sides of the frame F. A second arm 21 is fixed to the shaft 26 and extends over the upper end of a plunger 28, vertically slidable in a hammer-actuating solenoid 30. When the solenoid is energized, the plunger 28 operates through the arm 21, shaft 25 and arm 25 to swing the hammer 24 upward to print a record from the type wheels on the tape T.

After receiving the printed record, the tape T is drawn forward between a friction or feed roll 32 and a pressure roll 33. The roll 33 is mounted on a lever 34 pivoted at 35, and is yieldingly pressed against the tape T by a spring 36. It can be manually raised to free the tape.

The friction or feed roll 32 is mounted on a cros shaft 45 (Fig. 3) rotatable in fixed bearings and connected by beveled gears 4| and 42 (Fig. 2) to a ratchet wheel 43 loose on the hammer shaft 26 (Fig. 3). A feed pawl 44 is mounted on an arm 45 fixed to the shaft 25 and normally engages a fixed stop 46.

As the hammer 24 is swung upward to stamp a record (or clockwise in Fig. 3), the. feed pawl 44 is drawn back one tooth, while the ratchet wheel 43 is held from backward rotation by a holding pawl 41. As the hammer is returned to its normal lower position by gravity, the feed pawl '44 advances the ratchet 43 one spaceand is locked against the stop 46 to prevent over-. feeding. The tape T is thus advanced after the printing of each record and during the return or downward movement of the hammer.

The parts thus far described are all of usual commercial construction and are substantially as shown in the prior patent to Deane and Dell, No. 2,326,765.

As previously stated, my present inventionv relates more particularly to the provision of dif-a ferentiated symbols to designate different classes of records. These symbols may indicate widely different items, and are shown herein as indicating whether current is on or off in an electric oVen'X (Figs. 1 and 4) The symbols are formed on an auxiliary printing device shown as an arm 50 (Figs. 1 and 3) pivoted on a bushing 5| which also provides a bearing for the front end of the type wheel shaft Ill. The arm 50 thus swings concentric with the type wheels, and is provided on the lower face with the symbols On and Off to indicate whether the load is on or ofil The arm 50 is connected by a link 52 (Fig. 1 to an armature 53,. pivoted at 5 4 and associated with a magnet 55. A spring 56 normally holds movement of the roll 32 will depress the roll 63- on the lever BI and will hold it depressed by a high point on the star wheel 64 until a second" advance or feeding movement of the star wheel takes place. As each movement of the star Wheel is synchronized with a return movement of the hammer 24 after a printing blow, the auxiliary device Ell will be alternately shifted from right to left and from left to'right as viewed in Fig. 1, after each successive record is printed and as the tape T'is intermittently advanced.

A single-pole, double-break switch or relay 18 (Fig. 1) is provided in the hammer circuit in the casing C and comprises normally closed contacts 'Il associated with the plunger 12 of a solenoid l3. When the solenoid is energized, the plunger 12 rises and engages an upper plate is, separating the contacts H and breaking the hammer circuit to prevent a second impression. blow after the downwardreb'ound' of the hammer, which second blow will occur if the circuit of thehammer solenoid 73 remains closed.

A switch 88' (Fig. 1) is connectedv to be closed momentarily each time the main load switch 8| is either opened or closed. The switch 88 comprises normally open contacts 82, with one of the contacts mounted on. a. movable plate 83 which is normally pressed outward by a spring 84. A light flexible cam member 85 on the plate 83 is positioned for engagement by a. collar 86 on the upper end of a solenoid plunger 81, vertically slidable in a solenoid 88 and having. a weight 89 atits lower end.

' When the main switch 8! is closed th solenoid 88 will be energized and the plunger 81 will be moved upward to the dotted line position shown in; Fig. 1". As it moves upward, the collar 86 will force the flexible contact member 85 to the left and will thus close the contactsBZ for a brief interva'll The contacts will immediately reopen, and' will remain open as long asthe switch. 8: is closed and the collar 86 remains in. its raised position. I

Assuming A," travel. for the plunger. Bl, the first" travel may close the contacts 82-, the next travel may hold them closed, and they may reopen during the last travel. The circuit remains closed only a small fraction of a second.

When the switch BI is opened, the plunger 8! and collar 86 will drop under the. influence of gravity and the weight89, thus again. momentarily closing the contacts 82.

The operation of my invention will be more clearly understood by referenceto the circuit diagram shown in Fig. 4. Line wires L and L supply current for the oven X through the main switch 8|, and also supply current through the same switch for the solenoid 88. Current is supplied through line wires L2 and L3 for the type wheels and impression mechanism in. the recorder. V

The type-wheel driving or time motor M is directly connected across the line wires L2'and L3. The magnet 55 which shifts the auxiliary printing device 50 is connected across the line wires L2 and L3 through the contacts 60, controlled by the star wheel 64. The hammer 24 is operated by the solenoid 30 which is connected through the relay contact points H, and: the hammer solenoid Ell-and relay solenoid. 13 are connected in parallel across the line wires L2 and L3 through the load-controlled contacts 82. The shifting of the auxiliary printing device 58 by the magnet 55 is in part dependent on the open or closed condition of the contacts 58, as eifected'by the star. wheel 64 on each return movement of the hammer 2'4.

Whenever themain switch 8| is either opened or closed, the contacts 82 are momentarily closed, thus energizing the hammer coil 30 and the relay-coil13 and also the magnet 55 if the contacts 68 are closed. The hammer coil then acts to swing th hammer upward. to'strike-ai blowand thus print. a record, and the rela coil. 13 after a very brief interval,- separates the cont-acts H, thus releasing the hammer and preventing a second actuation thereof, until. the contacts 82 have been opened tobreakboththe'hammer and the relay circuits. 7

I have thus provided very simple. electrical controls by which the opening or closing of the-switch 8! will cause the recorder tomake'. a record of the time of: suchopening or closing. and to designate successive records aseither. on or o It will be understood; that the circuit-closing switch 8| may be included within theorising, C,

' or may be associated with the oven. X, or with any other device 0t which; arecord'v is tobe kept. Furthermore, the circuit. through the wires I00 and Hll (Fig. il-maybe closed by'any'other kind of a device which will close and thereafter open the circuit promptly, or the circuit may be closed manually. The line wires Ll and L3 maybe the same as the-wiresL and L',.if the-same current is used.

Having thus described my invention and the advantages thereof, I do; not wish tobe limited to the details herein disclosed otherwise-than as set forth in. the claims,.but: what-I claim is:

1. In a time recorder having: a record sheet, sheet feeding means, and periodically advanced printing devices, in combination; an.- auxiliary printing device bearing two different printing symbols, an impression hammer, a solenoid to move said hammer to. make an: impression from said regular and auxiliary printing devices, a circuit. for said solenoid; and; means to shift said auxiliary printing device to move one symbol into printing position andthey other symbol out of printing position alternatelyand before each successive. operation of said hammer.

2. In a time recorder having a. record sheet, sheet feeding means. and periodically advanced printing devices, in combination, an. auxiliary printing device bearing two" different printing symbols, an impression-hammer, a. solenoid to movev saidv hammer to make animpressmn from said regular andauxiliary printing devices, a circuit for said solenoid, magnetic means to; shift said auxiliary printing device' to. move onesymbol into printing. positionand. the other symbolout of printing position-,.rnechanism' effective-to'render saidmagnetic means operative after every other operative movement of said impression hammer, and means: toreturn said auxiliary printing device to its-initial position when said mag-netmeans is deenergized.

3. In a time recorder having a record sheet, sheet feeding means, and periodically advanced printing devices, in combination, :an auxiliary printing device bearing two different printing symbols, an impression hammer, a solenoid to move said hammer to make an impressionfrom said regular and auxiliary printing devices, a circuit for said solenoid, magnetic means to shift said auxiliary printing device to move one symbol into printing position and the other symbol I 6 REFERENCES crrEn The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number, Name Date 923,085 Smith May 25, 1909 1,497,586 Prall June 10, 1924 1,630,326 Dutton Aug. 14, 1928 1,680,708 Traver Aug. 13, 1928 1,798,583 Bishop Mar. 31, 1931 1,964,409 Whittaker June 26, 1934 2,021,985 Coil Nov. 20, 1935 2,044,367 Purdy June 16, 1936 2,080,136 Johnson May 11, 1937 2,087,315 Bugg July 20, 1937 2,263,051 Rittenhouse et al. Nov. 18, 1941 2,330,387 Ruttiman Sept. 28, 1943 2,331,635 Streckfuss Oct. 12, 1943 I FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 217,006 Germany Dec. 14, 1909 

